Fish-canning machine



Dec. 24, 1940. w ROQNEY FISH-CANNING MACHINE 1O Sheets-s 1 Filed y 28, 1938 Dec. 24, 1940. w. E. ROONEY FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 III INVENTQR a d [Malta 6 ATTORNEYS Dec. 24, 1940. w. E. ROONEY 2,226,019

FISH-CANNING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 28, 19 38- INVENTOR aM m ATTO NEY 1940- w. E. ROONEY 2,226,019

FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jzz 2/4 2% Q I INVENT R BY N.

ATTO NEY Dec. 24, 1940. w. E. ROONEY FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTO'F;

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ATTORNE 1940- w. E. ROONEY 2,226,019

FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1938 r 10 Sheets-Sheet e KNVEN IIA P w 2%;

My. ATTORNEY FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR 1940- w. E. ROONEY 2,226,019

FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 .31 7 Km 4 \mv \wm R Y w m Ram QM m .4 m b NR NQN W m T \R 1 A wa w m mv \NQQ 3 B W. E. ROONEY FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Dec. 24, 1940.

w. E. ROONEY, 2,226,019

FISH-CANNING MACHINE Filed May 2a, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Q g 3 Q3,

I INVENTOR U3] waltz a.

8*- ATTO NEY Patented Dec. 3 4, .1940

UNITED S ATES risn-oAN'Nmo MACHINE Walter E. Rooney, Bellingham, Wash, assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. v1L, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 28, 1938, SerialNo. 210,764

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to fish cannin machines and has particular reference to an apparatus for cutting whole fish into can lengths and further handling the cut pieces in preparation for packing into cans so that square cut and uniform length pieces are obtained, the invention providing an improved method of handling both the whole fish and the cut segments prior to and following the cutting operation, to the 10 end that there will be an accumulation of just" the desired number of cut pieces required for producing a mass of material held under a uniform compression, and providing a homogeneous, uniform filling supply for subsequent canning even though the individual fish in the mass may vary greatly in size.

In my Patent 2,044,813 issued by the United States Patent Ofiice June 23, 193631 have disclosed the feeding of a string of fish into a single cutter and into a restraining supply tunnel from which the fish pieces are continuously fed through a measuring device and thence charges of fish are filled into cans. In accordance with the present invention individual fish are passed through a plurality or gang of cutting elements and the cut pieces are collected in a supply tunnel preparatory to canning During all of the stages of such treatment, advancement of the whole fish and of the cut fish is accelerated or is retarded in accordance with conditions obtaining at any particular moment in the restraining supply tunnel, to the end that more uniform can filling may be obtained.

The invention further contemplates a more uniform cutting action with a minimum of abrupt change of movement, some change of movement being necessary to control filling where the size of the individual fish received into the machine varies, more uniformity of machine operations as 40 well as uniformity of can contents thus resulting.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for cutting fish into can lengths and thence collecting the cut pieces in a restraining supply tunnel preparatory to canning, to provide a uniform fish mass which will be maintained at all times under a'uniform pressure, although there is constant changing of component parts of the mass as a new supply of fish continually replaces that which is removed in the filling of the cans.

Another object of the invention is the provision of gang cutters in a machine of the character described to which the fish is fed and from which the fish is removed so that at no time is any part of the fish out of control.

Yet another object is the provision of an endless bucket conveyor for receiving the fish pieces as they are cut and for passing them into, the supply tunnel only as required to maintain a predetermined compressed fish mass in the tunnel.

A further object is theprovision of such an apparatus which includes fork members for placing cut fish lengths in a bucket conveyor and other elements for holding the fish in a bucket until the time for its removal and other fork members for removing the fish lengths from a bucket and for transferring the same to a supply tunnel, the latter fork members thereupon holding the fish in the tunnel under uniform compression without release of holding action at any stage 15 of operation.

Another object of the invention is'the provision of an apparatus for feeding individual fish of varying lengths and sizes throughgang cutters and into movable conveyor buckets and synchrow 'nizing such feeding and movement of the buckets so that some of the'conveyor buckets receive two smaller measures of fish while other buckets receive a single larger piece, thus more nearly unifying the contents of all buckets.

I Still another object is the accurate control of movement of the various working parts in a machine of the character described to provide at all times a uniform mass of fish supply applicable for filling into cans. 30

. Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. 35

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fish machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical'sectional view of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, such a view being taken along the longitudinal course of travel. of the fish in its passage through the cutting elements and into a conveyor bucket, the view also showing the fish beinghandled by the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional fragment of some 45 of the same parts shown in Fig. 2 and showing these parts and the fish in difierent positions;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 44 in Fig. 2, parts being broken away; 5

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional details taken substantially along the lines 5-.-5 and 8-6 in Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken at the forward end of the longitudinal course of travel of the cut fish and showingthe fish transferred from a conveyor bucket and deposited in the end of the supply tunnel;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing some of the same parts-as shown in Fig. .7 but taken at right angles thereto;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation showing one end of the apparatus, this being the end in the rear of the showing in Fig. 1, part of the casing being broken back and shown in section; Y

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail of a clutch device shown in the lower central part of F18. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view shown at a reduced scale and taken substantially along the broken section line ll-ll in Fig. '7, parts being broken away;

Fig. 12 is a plan sectional view taken substantially along the line l2-l2 in Fig. 9, parts being broken away;

Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line l3-l3 in F18. 9;

Fig- 14 is a vertical sectional detail shown on an enlarged scale of parts taken along the section line H'l| in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a front elevation detail of a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13, the view being taken substantially from a plane indicated by the line lS-IS in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional detail taken substantially along the line Iii-l6 in Fig. 13;"

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the speed control of the apparatus, parts being broken away and parts shown schematically;

Fig. 18 is a cam detail shown in elevation as it would appear if viewed along the line l8l8 in Fig. 8 but being at a smaller scale; and

Figs. 19 and 20 are schematic plan views showing the table over which the fish is fed and further showing the course of travel of the fish through the gang cutter and into buckets of the bucket conveyor, Fig. 19 illustrating the feeding of relatively small fish through the apparatus,

and Fig. 20 showing how larger fish are introadvances beneath a fish receiving table B, the chain having flights which extend up through slots cut in the table and which engage behind the fish. At the forward end of the chain'A the fish passes onto a grid unit C and is immediately picked up by a transfer fork unit D which sweeps the fish upwardly over the ,grid unit. During this movement the fish is engaged by a feeding fork unit E.

The gang cutters are designated broadly by the letterF and the fork elements which engage the fish, pass throughand between the grids and between the cutter elements. In this way the fish is conveyed by the fork unit E over the grid unit C and through the gang cutters F during which time each fish is cut into can lengths.

While the cut fish pieces or segments are still under the control of the propelling action of the fork unit E these segments are deposited in a transverse bucket conveyor G. The bucket conveyor G is intermittently movable and when fish pieces are deposited in the conveyor the latter is at rest.

This feeding of the fish through gang cutters and the depositing of the same into a bucket conveyor is similar to the operation shown and described in the patent to Sullivan Number 1,655,581, dated January 10, 1928, although the handling of the fish both before and after cutting varies considerably as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The actuation of the feeding fork unit E is such as to hold the fish pieces in the conveyor buckets G, and while the fish pieces are so held a retaining gate member H cooperates with the fork unit as it moves downwardly on its path. This positively prevents any displacement of the fish pieces after they have been inserted into the bucket conveyor.

The restraining tunnel in which the fish mass is collected is designated by the numeral J and it isinto the end of this tunnel that the cut pieces are collected. As already stated the subsequent operations oi canning are fully set Iorth in m movable elements of the apparatus, the gengcutters continue under constant and uniform rotation.

The various working parts of the apparatus are supported by a main frame 2| (Fig. l.) which rests upon a base 22 having feet 23. The main frame 2| is formed in some places as'a hollow housing and provides support for most of the working parts of the machine.

The fish receiving table B and the continuously operating chain conveyor A are located at one side of the main frame2| as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Adescription of these parts will now be given.

Fish receiving table The fish receiving table B is adapted to be hinged relative to thesupporting frame 2| so that when not in use or when the machine is first shipped, the table may be folded down into a vertical position. The table is formed with a pair of side walls or supporting rails which at the inner end of the table pass over and rest upon a transverse horizontal shaft 26. The two side rails 25 at their unhinged outer ends extend over a horizontal shaft 21.

The table is supported in a substantially horizontal position during operation of the machine by tie rods 28 (Figs. 1 and 2), the upper ends of the rods being bolted at 29 to the rails 25. The lower end of each tie rod 28 is pivotally anchored in a bracket 30 which is secured to and extends out from the base 22. When the fish receiving table B is not in use the connections 26 of the rods 28 are disconnected from the rails 25. This permits swinging of the rails and all parts of the fish receiving table B into a vertical non-operating position. The tie rods 28 at such time may be swung out of the way into a position most convenient.

The chain conveyor A consists of a pair of spaced endless chains 3| (see also Fig. 4), the chains being located just inside of the side rails 25. Each chain at the machine end of the table B passes over and is operated by a sprocket 32 which is secured to the shaft 26. At the opposi e end of the fish receiving table each chain 3| passes over an idler sprocket 33 secured to or mounted on the shaft 21. Cross bars 35 are carseries of flights 36 which provide for engagement of fish to be fed into the machine.

A fish trough table section is provided for the reception of the fish placed into the fish rece ving table B and this section extends over the chains 3|. The trough section is formed with a horizontal floor plate 4| and side walls 42 and is held between the rails 25. In this manner the rails 25 pro'vide support for the table parts 4|. 42.

The plate 4| is slotted in a plurality of longi- 60 tudinally extending slots 43 which terminate short of the outer edge of the plate. The s ots provide clearance for the chain fli hts 36, which. when moving on the upper run of the chain. extend above the surface of the table plate 4| as 65 clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

, In the graphic showing of Figs. 19 and 20 the relative positions of individual fish fed into the machine are indicated. The fish are placed on the table plate 4| in a transverse position and 70 this may be done by hand or in other suitable manner. The individual fish are engaged by a set of the chain flights 36, the spacing between adjacent fish being determined by the distance between sets of flights 36 on adjacent bars 35 of 75 the chains 3|.

'next to the side walls 52.

ried by the chains 3| and each bar supports a When the fish are small, as illustrated in Fig. 19, two fish are placed on the table plate M in a line with the larger or head ends outwardly or The right hand fish is shown in a way to distinguish it from the com- 5 panion fish on the left to moreclearly illustrate a feature of handling after cutting as will be explained hereinafter.

When the fish are large, as shown in Fig. 20,

there is only one fish in each line and all fish 10 have been eliminated. It will be understood that 15 the chain fiights 36, in engaging the individual fish, keep the proper spacing between fish.

The shaft 26 is journaled in brackets 5| (Fig. 2) which are secured directly to the frame 2|. These brackets are preferably joined together by 20 a transverse web 52. A fioor plate 53 (Figs. 2 and 4) is mounted on and secured to the brackets 5| and along one edge to the web 52. This plate extends across the width of th fish receiving table'B. 25

The floor plate 53 is bent upwardly to project over the sprocket 32 and over the chains 3| and extends under the table plate 4|. Plate 53 is slotted at 55 and these slots correspond to the slots 43 of the table plate. The slots 55 pro- 30 vide clearance for the chain flights 36 as they move down over the front sprockets and as they pass below the surface of the table. The inner end of the slotted table plate 4| thus rests directly on top of the free edge of the plate 53 as 35 best shown in Fig. 2 and this provides a smooth floor over which the fish pass. This construction also allows for the swinging of the table B into its non-operating position, at which time the forward slotted edges of the table plate 4| slide over and move away from the slotted edge of the floor plate 53.

The grid unit 0 is composed of a series of grid bars 6| (Figs. 2 and 4). At one end (right as in Fig. 2) the bars are preferably joined as an in- 45 tegral part of a solid edge wall 62 which may be mounted on and secured to the cross web 52. At the opposite end the bars are supported on a track frame of the bucket conveyor G. Side plates 63 are supported on the frame and these 50 align with the side walls 42 of the table B. The grid bars 6| are substantially-S-shape in profile as illustrated in Fig. 2 and this provides'a raised central section over which the fish are lifted when passing through the gang cutters F.

Tranfer fork unit When the fish being moved by the conveyor chains 3| come to the inner end of the fish receiving table B, an individual fish in the case of large fish being handled, as exemplified in Fig. 20, or two smaller fish in line as suggested by Fig. 19, are passed onto the floor plate 53. The set of chain flights 36 which engage such fish thereupon pass down through the slots 55 of the floor plate and disappear as they move around to the lower run of the conveyor chains.

It is at this position that the fish is engaged by the transfer fork unit D.

Transfer fork unit D comprises a series of double prong forks 65 (Figs. 1 and 2). The two fork prongs are joined at the center in a hub 66 which is adapted to be mounted upon and carried by a transverse shaft 61 which extends across and above the floor plate 53 and the grid unit C. 7

The hub 88 of each double fork unit insures proper spacing of adjacent units and the fork prongs are aligned to provide two diametrically opposed fork sweeps as best illustrated in Fig. 1.

The shaft 81 is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings. At one side the bearing is in a bracket 88 carried on the main frame 2| and at the other side in a housing 88 also supported on the main frame. One end of the shaft 28 also extends through the housing 88 and the transfer fork unit D is synchronised in movement with the chain conveyor A by suitable gearing. This insures that each set or sweep of prongs of the transverse fork unit passes in behind the line of chain flights 88 so that the individual fish are properly handled.

A gear 1| is mounted upon the end of the shaft 81 and meshes with a similar gear I2 secured to the end of the shaft 28. Actuation of the driving mechanism for the shafts 28, 81 will be referred to hereinafter.

The transfer forks 85 move the fish away from the fioor plate 58 and sweep it over the lower ends of the grid bars 8| of the grid unit'C, and the feeding fork unit E passes in behind the transfer fork and picks up the fish. Consideration will now be given to the construction of .the feeding fork unit E.

Feeding fork unit The feeding fork unit E comprises a series of individual forks (Figs. 2 and 4). As illustrated in the drawings there are six middle forkunits 8| of the same construction and two outer fork units 82 of slightly different construction. The middle fork units have hubs 88 and the two side forks have hubs 84. All of the hubs are mounted side by side upon a transverse rock shaft 88.

The ends of the shaft 85 are iournalled in bearings 88 formed in the outer ends of radially disposed boss sections 81 of gears 88. There are two gears 88, one at each side of the machine. One gear is mounted upon a stub shaft 88 which extends into a hub bearing 8| formed in the side wall of a housing section 82 which may be a part of the main frame 2|. The gear 88 on the opposite side of'the machine is mounted on a short shaft 85 which is journalled in a hub 88 formed in a housing section 81 of the main frame 2|.

Provision is made for rotating both shafts 88. in unison so that the gears 88 during a complete rotation will carry the shaft 85 in a circular path (counter clockwise as to Fig. 2). The fork units mounted thereon are correspondingly moved but in addition the shaft and the units are rocked on the shaft center, i. e., in the bearings 88, to produce the desired feeding movement. It is with this controlled feeding action that the fish is carried through the gang cutters F and is deposited into the transfer bucket conveyor G by the feeding fork unit E. This will be more fully understood as the description proceeds.

Each fork 8| or 82 is provided with a fork prong head I 8|. All of the heads are alike in construction and the individual forks are disposed relative to each other so that there is presented a line of equally spaced prongs. Each prong is adapted to pass into and through a space between adjacent grid bars 8| during such transfer of the fish.

Each of the outer fork hubs 84 is integral with a depending lever arm I85 (Figs. 2 and 4) the lower end of which carries a pivot pin I88. Each pivot pin I88 provides for a connection with a connecting rod I81, the other end of the rod being pivotally connected at I88 to the lower end of a depending lever I88.

The two levers I88 are independently mounte upon individual short rock shafts III. One rock shaft III is mounted in a hub II2 formed in the housing wall 82 of the frame and the other rock shaft is carried in' a similar hub II2 formed in the housing 81. The levers I88 are moved in unison by cam means and are swung back and forth, pivoting about the axis of the rock shafts III while the fork supporting shaft 85 moves around in its circular travel.

During the travel of the fish up and over the inclined course of the grid bars 8| and while resting against the fork heads I8I, the fish is held down on the grid as it passes under top support spring plates II5 (Fig. 2). Each plate H8 is mounted at one end to-a transverse supporting bar II8 which is secured on one side to the housing 82 and at the opposite end to the housing 81. This constitutes an anchorage for the spring plates and the free ends of the plates are turned up to permit easy insertion of the fish being swept forward by the feeding fork unit E.

Consideration will now be given to the actuation of the feeding forks 8|, 82 and to the cam movement of the levers I88. Actuation of the transfer fork unit D will also be noted and the manner of driving the chain conveyor A.

Oilgear drive mechanism All of the moving parts of the apparatus except the gang cutters F receive actuation through a gear reduction element known under the trade name Oilgear. Driving power is applied to an input shaft associated with such a gear reduction unit and within the unit may be a. series of reduction elements which actuate an output shaft. It is this output shaft that indirectly controls all of the operating parts of the apparatus, excepting the gang cutters, and these in their turn are driven by association with the input shaft and are therefore not subjected to any gear reduction.

Such an Oilgear is designated in the drawings by the letter 0 (Figs. 9 and 13) and is mounted upon the base of a housing I2I which may be a part of the housing 82. The Oilgear 0 receives power through a drive shaft I22, this being the input shaft already mentioned. Shaft I22 is mountedin a bearing I 28 formed in the housing I2I and may in turn be driven by belt connection I24 with any suitable power source or prime mover. Belt I24 operates a drive pulley I25 mounted on the end of the shaft.

The output or driven shaft of the Oilgear is designated by the numeral I28. It preferably extends from the Oilgear on the opposite side and it is this shaft I28 (see also Figs. 12 and 13) which provides the main driving reduction connection for the actuating parts of the machine excepting the gang cutters F.

Any suitable form of Oilgear may be employed for this purpose. there being a number of commercially manufactured gear reduction mechanisms which are referred to by different descriptive names but which operate to provide a controlled output' of driving power at a reduced speed. Such an Oilgear unit 0 may be of the type illustrated in the W. Ferris Patent 2,074,068, granted March 16, 1937.

The shaft I28 (Figs. 9, 12 and 13) carries a gear I2I which meshes with a gear I28 carried on a short shaft I29 iournalied in a bearing I3I formed in the housing 92. The shaft I29 is merely an idler shaft and the gear I28 also meshes with a larger gear I 32-which is mounted .on one end of a horizontailydisposed cam shaft I33. The shaft I33 is journalled in a bearing I34 formed on a bracket I35 which is an integral part of the frame HI and in a bearing I86 carried in a bearing plate I31 mounted upon and extending into the housing I2I.

The shaft I 33 also carries a gear I which meshes with a gear I42 mounted on a short stub shaft I43 Journalled in a bearing I44 formed in the bearing plate I31. The gear I42 also meshes with a relatively large gear I45 which is secured to one end of a clutch drive shaft I46. The shaft I46 is journalled in a bearing I41 formed in a bracket I48 extending intoand forming an integral part of the housing 92.

A gear sleeve II is keyed to the shaft I46 and the opposite ends of the sleeve are formed with teeth which constitute drive gears I52 and I 53, Gears I52, I53 are of different diameters and provide for a selective gear transmission through a clutch device P (Figs. 9, and 12). The particular selection of gear speed used will depend upon whether a large or small fish is being handled, as will be later more fully explained. It may be mentioned, however, that when small fish are being handled in the machine, as exemplified in Fig. 19, the driving force for the moving parts is effected through the gear I52. When the larger fish (Fig. 20) are handled the drive is through the gear I53.

Clutch device P is illustrated in detail in Fig. 10 and is mounted upon an operating shaft I55 which is located below and parallel to the clutch drive shaft I46. This operating shaft I55 is journalled in a bearing I56 formed in the end of the bracket I48 (Fig.9) and in bearings I51 (see also Fig. 4) formed in the housings I2I and 91.

A driving sleeve I6I is keyed onthe end of the shaft I55 which is adjacent the bearing I48. This sleeve is reduced at its ends and on the ends of the sleeve are mounted gears I62 and I63 which respectively mesh at all times with gears I52, I53. Both gears I62, I63 are loosely mounted on the sleeve and are constantly rotated by the driving gears I52, I53 but at difierent speeds owing to the different gear ratio between the gear set I52, I62 and the set I53, I63.

It is by reason of the clutch that one or the other of the gears I62, I63 is connected in driving relationship with the sleeve I6I and the operating shaft I55. The shift part of the clutch unit comprises a sliding collar I65 which ismounted on the central part of the sleeve I6I and this collar at all times rotates with the sleeve, being connected therewith by a feather I66.

The clutch collar I65 is adapted to slide on the sleeve and has three positions. In the position shown in Fig. 10 the clutch is in neutral, that is, it is in between the gears I62, I63 and has no driving connection with them. When in this neutral position the collar I65, sleeve I6I and shaft I55 are stationary and all the parts driven through the shaft are at rest. The two gears I62, I63, however, are continuously rotating on the sleeve, being driven by the gears I52, I53.

The clutch collar I65 is formed with clutch teeth 168, I69 cut in the opposite faces of the collar. The gear I62 is also formed with clutch teeth HI and when the clutch collar I65 is in its second position, which is toward the left (Fig. 10) its teeth I68 engage with the teeth I1I of the gear I62. This connects the gear with the shaft I65 so that the shaft is rotated at the rate of speed effected by the gear ratio I52,'I62. The

gear I63 is also provided with clutch teeth I12 and when the clutch collar I85 is in its third position, which is toward the right (Fig. 10), its teeth I69 engage with the teeth I12 of the gear I63. When so connected the shaft I55 rotates at the speed occasioned by the gear ratio I53, I68.

The collar I65 may be shifted laterally into one of its three positions by a lever I (see also Fig. 12) which may bemanually controlled from outside the machine housing. The lever I15 carries a pin I16 on which is mounted a roller I11 which engages within a peripheral groove I18 formed in the clutch collar I65.

The shaft I55 at the end opposite the clutch device P carries a gear I8I (Figs. 1, 4 and 5), which is located outside of the machine housing I2I and inside of the housing 69. This gear meshes with a similar gear I82 secured on a short stub shaft I83 journalled in the side frame wall in the housing 69. A sprocket I84 is also mounted on the shaft I83 adjacent the gear I82 and a chain I85 operates over the sprocket I84 and also over a sprocket I86 mounted on the shaft 26. The rotating shaft I55 is thus effective in driving the chain 3I by means of which the conveyor chain unit A is moved. The shaft 26 being thus rotated, its gear 12 meshing with the gear H on the shaft 61, effects rotation of that shaft and the transfer fork 65.

The rotating shaft I55 also carries a pair of combination camxgears I9 I (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) one on each side of the machine. Each cam gear I9I meshes with a corresponding gear 88 of the feed fork mechanism E. The gears I9I being rotated in unison with the shaft I55 and each driving a gear 88, the connecting shaft 85, carrying all of the feeding forks 8i, is carried in its circular travel as already referred to.

A cam groove I92 is cut on the inner face of each of the cam gears I9I and a cam roller I93 is carried on eaclrlever I09, being mounted upon a pin I94 carried in the arm. Such a roller, operating within the cam groove I92 during the rotation of the gear I9I, swings the lever I09 on its pivotal axis III so that the two fork arms I05 are moved in unison.

This oscillates the fork shaft 85 on its own center and all of the fork heads IOI are correspondingly moved in addition to being bodily carried in their circular path. Like the movement of the chain conveyor A, this speed of movement of the feed fork heads IOI is timed in accordance with the ear ratio which is in driving effect, in accordance with the position of the clutch arm I15 of the clutch device P.

The gang cutters F (Figs. 1, 2 and 9) comprise spaced discs I95 the outer edges of which may be bevelled to provide a sharp cutting edge. All of the discs are mounted upon a shaft I96 (see also Fig. '13) which is journalled in suitable bearings formed in the frame parts 92, 91. A sprocket I91 is secured on one end of the shaft this being inside of the housing 92. A drive chain I98 operates over the sprocket and at the lower end passes over a sprocket I99 which is secured on a transverse shaft 200. The shaft 200 (Figs. 12 and 13) is journalied in bearings I formed in the housing I2I.

A sprocket chain 202 operates over a sprocket 203 mounted on the end of the shaft 200 opposite to the sprocket I99. This chain also operates over a sprocket 204 (see also Fig. 9) which is After the fish has been severed by passage .through the gang cutters F, the pieces are deposited into the bucket conveyor G as has already been mentioned. .This conveyor which is located beyond the gang cutter discs I95 at the discharge end of the grid unit C, comprises an endless chain conveyor which consists of links 205 (Figs. 7 and 8), each link comprising a single bucket unit 206. Each bucket unit carries a front wall 201 and a fioor 208 and each front wall thus provides a division wall between adjacent buckets.

Each link 205 is pivotally connected at its end to two adjacent cross shafts 209 and two rollers 2I0 are rotatably mounted on each shaft one at each end. The chain conveyor at one side of the machine (which is toward the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4), passes over a drum sprocket 2 (Figs. 7 and 8) which is mounted on and keyed to a horizontal drive shaft 2I2. This drum sprocket has projecting flanges 2I3 formed on both sides which are notched out as at 2I4 to provide sprocket pockets for the chain rollers 2 I 0.

At the opposite side of the machine the chain conveyor passes over a similar drum sprocket 22I (Fig. 1) which is also formed with side flanges 222 having sprocket pockets 223 for the reception of the chain rollers 2I0. Sprocket 22I is mounted upon an idler shaft which is similar to the drive shaft 2I2.

The bucket conveyor G operates in a housing 224 (see also Fig. 7) which may be an integral part of the main frame 2|. The shaft '2I2 is journalled in a bearing 225 formed in the housing and in a bearing 226 formed in the housing Hi. In like manner the idler shaft for the sprocket 22I has bearing engagement in the frame parts 224 and I2I.

The upper run of the bucket conveyor is maintained in a straight horizontal line between the sprockets 2| I, 22I by side rails 22! (Figs. 2, 8 and 13), which form tracks for the chain rollers 2I0. These rails are bolted to the respective frame parts I2I, 224 on each side of the bucket conveyor G.

The buckets 206 which are to receive the cut fish pieces. are on the upper run of the conveyor chain and are at such time disposed intermediate the sprockets 2, HI. Such buckets are then in a straight line, the rollers 2 I 0 for these buckets resting upon the rail tracks 221. It will be understood thatthe spacing between adjacent gang cutters I95 is the same as the spacing between adjacent bucket walls 201 and that there will be a pocket 206 at the end of the path of travel of each cut section of fish.

The fioor 209 of each bucket 206 is inclined upwardly at 23I in a curve, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, and this curved fioor provides a contlnuation of the curved top of the grid bars 6| section in each bucket as the fork moves down for its return movement.

Fig. 3 illustrates the fork in partially lowered position and just ready to return back to its point of beginning. The combination of cam and crank 5 movements resulting from the circular motion of the shaft and the oscillating movement of the lever arms I09 and I05, is designed to help prevent any particles of the fish from escaping from the bucket and from following back with 0 the receding fork head.

The end of each bucket opposite the entrance end is blocked off by a stationary back wall 232 (Figs. 2 and 3). This wall extends across the upper run of the conveyor G and is mounted 15 upon a pair of support arms 233 fixed at 234 to the frame 224. A cover plate 235 is also carried by the arms 233 and is substantially coextensive with the back wall. At the entrance ends of the conveyor buckets the cover plate is bent upward- 2o ly at 230 to permit easy passage of the fish to the buckets.

Spring guide trips 23! hold the cut pieces of fish down on the grid bars during the passage from the gang cutters I95 to the buckets. The 5 guide strips are anchored at one end on the bar H6 and they extend between the cutters I95.

After the conveyor buckets 206 have been filled with their charges of fish, they move along the side of the wall 232 and beneath the plate 235, 30 this movement being intermittent and each step movement being'equal to the space between adjacent buckets. A new charge of fish is not again fed to the bucket conveyor until certain of the buckets have been emptied of a preceding 35 charge. This will be better understood as the description proceeds. The walls 232, 235 thus block off the bucket conveyor pockets and prevent any loss of the fish during its transfer.

The retaining gate member H which cooperates with the fork unit to prevent the fish from pressing out of abucket 206 after being deposited there by a fork head IOI, consists of a curved plate 238 which is carried on a pair of right angled arms 239 mounted on a rock shaft 240 ,which is journalled in bearings 2 formed in on its path. The plate 239 remains in lowered position blocking of! any inadvertent discharge of fish from the conveyor buckets during the 55 time the conveyor is moving to bring each bucket into position for discharge of the fish.

Consideration will now be given to the actuation of the chain conveyor G by which the same is intermittently moved, after which actuation of 60 the retaining gate member H will be considered.

The cam shaft I33 (Figs. 9, 12 and 13) carries an actuating Geneva drum 25I on which two or more helical threads 252 are disposed. The periphery of the drum 25I passes adjacent to the face of a Geneva disc 253 (see also Fig. '1). This disc is mounted on one end of the shaft 2I2 just inside the housing HI and adjacent the bearing 226.

The Geneva disc 253 carries a series of pins 70 254 and Geneva rollers 255 are rotatably mounted upon the pins. As the Geneva drum 25I rotates with the shaft I33, its thread 252 at all times is disposed between two Geneva rollers 255. The incline of the threads 252 acting on the en- 75 I and the cycle of movement and rest is repeated.

It will be observed that the intermittent advance of the conveyor G is not effected through the clutch device P. The shaft I" on which the Geneva drum 25! is mounted is closer to the Oilgear drive shaft I26 in the train of gearing, and the conveyor G continues operation even though the clutch collar I65 is in neutral position with its operated shaft I55 of the clutch device at rest.

It may here be repeated that the operation of the chain conveyor A and the operation of the transfer fork unit D and feeding fork unit E are all brought about through the clutch device P. The retaining gate member H is also operated through connection with the clutch device P. The actuation of the gate member will now be described.

The shaft 85 on which one of the feeding fork gears 68 is mounted carries a cam 26I (Figs. 1, 4 30 and 6). This cam is keyed on the end of the shaft opposite to the gear and is outside of the housing 91. Cam 26I is formed on its inner face with a cam groove 262 and a rocker lever 263 is disposed inside of the inner wall of the cam.

Lever 263 is mounted on a stud 264 which is carried in the housing 9! of the main frame.

The lower end of the lever 263 carries a cam roller 266 which operates in the cam groove 262 and one complete rotation of the cam makes one complete oscillation of the lever. The upper end of the lever 263 (see also Fig. 3) is pivotally connected by a connecting rod 261 to the upper end of an arm 268 which is mounted on and secured to the rock shaft 240. The effect of the cam 26I is to lift the curved plate 238 just in time to permit the feeding of cut fish pieces into the several positioned buckets 206 of the bucket conveyor G.

After the fish has been put into the buckets, the plate 238 is brought down to close off the entrance side of the buckets and in this downward movement the plate follows the receding forks IOI of the feed fork unit E. As will be observed by reference-to Fig. 6, the cam track contour for lifting of the plate and lowering it, constitutes a relatively short period of time and most of the cam cycle is for holding the plate 238 in its lowered position. This corresponds to the time the filled buckets 206 are being intermittently advanced.

Change for fish size In further consideration of the action of the conveyor chain A, the transfer forlns D and the feeding forks E, as well as the retaining plate H, all of which receive motion through the clutch device P, reference should be had to Figs. 19 and 20. The drawings illustrate a gang cutter consisting of seven cutting discs I and this size of cutter is used where standard one-pound tall salmon cans are being packed. Obviously the 0 number of cutting discs will depend entirely upon the conditions of canning and the size of the can.

The drawings also illustrate a common fish size for the salmon industry, Fig. 19 illustrating the 7 feeding of small salmon and Fig. 20 the feeding of the larger size of fish. These different conditions are given by way of an example. 7

Where the smaller size fish is being canned, the dressed fish bodies a' (Fig. 19) are placed on the table plate ll of the receiving table B in pairs 5 with the head of the body of the right hand fish toward the right and the head of the body of the left hand fish toward the left. In other words, two aligned fish are faced in opposite directions. One set of chain lugs 36 thereupon moves the 10 two aligned fish together and while still in alignment. In this manner the two fish are passed through the cutting discs I65. These two fishare accordingly cut into eight sections or pieces, each out being advanced into the waiting buckets 266 by the fork heads I III as has already been fully described.

The fish a being small, a single cut section does not sufficiently fill the bucket 206 and provision is made for putting two pieces in the same bucket. For small fish, therefore, the timing of the conveyor chain A, transfer forks D, feeding forks E and retaining plate H is established through the clutch device P, so that the bucket conveyor G moves through four intermittent steps only and then the next pair of fish, after being cut, is brought into the buckets then positioned in front of the feed fork heads IIII.

The effect of such a timing is to move the 3g buckets containing the right hand fish of the first cut beyond the receiving position. The four buckets containing the pieces of the left hand fish of the first out are then still in receiving position but on the right side, and in this position the 35 four cut pieces of the right hand fish of the next pair being advanced by the feed forks, pass into the same partially filled four buckets.

Since the left hand fish which was first in the buckets is faced with the tail end toward the right, the incoming fish sections on the right face in the opposite direction. In other words, the head of one fish will be in the same bucket as the tail of the other fish. This results in a more even filling of the buckets and it will be obvious that after the machine has once been started, all of the buckets will each receive two out pieces of fish coming from two subsequently cut individual fish.

This lifting of the retaining plate 238 and the 50 simultaneous feeding of fish into the bucket conveyor G after each four intermittent advance-' ments, is the result of the setting of the clutch device P. When the clutch collar I65 (Fig. 10) is shifted toward the left to connect the gears I52, 55 I62 with the operating shaft I55, this four-step interval is effective.

Where the larger fish are being handled a different setting of the clutch device P is made. In

that case the clutch collar I65 is moved toward the right to bring the gears I53, I63 into action for moving the operating shaft I55. The-conveyor chain A, transfer forks D and the feeding forks E then present a new fish as the retaining plate 238 moves up, this time after five set move- 65 ments of the bucket conveyor G.

The larger size fish are indicated by the letter b in Fig. 20. In this case the head end of the fish is placed toward the right and adjacent the right hand plate wall 42 of the receiving table B. This fish as illustrated in the drawings does not extend through a sufiiclent space to be engaged by all of the cutting discs I95. The particular size illustrated is of a length to be severed into six pieces, the five right hand cutting discs I95 doing this work. Six cut pieces are therefore de-, posited in the waiting conveyor buckets 206.

Then follows advancement of the bucket conveyor G through five intermittent steps. Since the fish has been severed into six pieces it will be obvious that the tail or last out of the fish is not moved beyond the receiving position when the next fish is fed through the cutters and its pieces are deposited into the waiting .buckets 206. The result of this is that the tail piece of the first fish occupies the first of the buckets receiving the following cut fish. One bucket therefore contains a head end cut and a tail cut.

fish size can be handled.

. illustrated in the drawings, each fork head be- Bucket discharge of fish to restraining tunnel At each of the rest periods of the bucket conveyor G a filled bucket 206 is positioned adjacent the end of the restraining tunnel J. Consideration will now be given to the discharge fork unit K which is utilized for transferring the cut fish from the conveyor buckets.

The discharge fork unit K comprises a fork head 215 (Figs. 7 and 8). There are four units ing an integral part of a hub section 218 which is carried on a pin 211 of a crank 219, the latter being formed as a part of a shaft 219. Each shaft 219 is rotatably mounted in and is carried by a rotatable disc 28I.

The disc 28f is keyed adjacent one end of a horizontal shaft 282 which is journalled at that end in a bearing 283 formed in a housing cap 284. The bearing cap 284 is mounted on the frame of the machine. Intermediate the ends of the shaft 282, a bearing 285, carried in the housing section 92, provides further support for the shaft.

The housing cap 284 joins with a housing shell 288 which encloses the rotatable disc 28l and an auxiliary housing 281 (Figs. 7 and 9) is mounted on the frame adjacent the shell 286. This auxiliary housing encloses the lower part of the chamber in which the discharge fork unit K is located. A hinged cover 288 (see also Fig. 8) is hinged at 289 on the housing 281 and this provides a closure for the.upper part of the chamber. By reason of the hinged connection the cover member 288 may be lifted out of place and easy access may behad to the fork unit K.

The shaft 282 is rotated by connection with the shaft I46 in the following manner. A bevel gear 29! (Figs. 8, 11 and 13) is mounted on the shaft 282. This gear meshes with a bevel pinion 292 which is carried on the upper end of an inclined shaft 293, journalled in bearings 294, carried in the frame sections 92, HI of the machine. The lower end of the shaft 293 carries a bevel gear 295 which meshes with a corresponding gear 298 mounted on the shaft I46 (see also Fig. 9). Since the shaft I46 is not affected by the clutch device P it wil be obvious that the setting of the clutch will have no effect upon the rotation of the shaft 282 and the disc 28l.

- centric. mountings of each crank pin 211 it is a caused to move with a planetary motion. This raises and lowers the fork center as the fork moves on its orbit.

Each hub section 218 of the fork unit is projected outwardly at one side in an arm 305 (Figs. 7 and 8) and each arm carries a pin 306 on which is mounted a cam roller 301. Each cam roller 301 operates in a cam groove 308 out in a stationary cam 309 (see Figs. 1'1 and 18). The cam 309 is bolted to a wall of the housing 92, the cam surrounding the shaft 282.

By reason of the cam track 308, together with the rotative and planetary wobble of the fork hubs 216, the fork head 215 of each unit is caused to properly engage all of the fish located in the bucket 206 which at the time is in discharge position. In this way the fish is removed from the bucket conveyor and forced into the restraining tunnel J.

As illustrated in Fig. 13, part of the housing 92 is formed as an archway 3l5 and through this archway the filled buckets 206 of the conveyor G successively pass asthey advance to the discharge position. The discharge position for each bucket is directly opposite the restraining tunnel J (Figs.

'1 and 8) and this is just ahead of the archway M5. The bucket 206 in coming into place, passes beneath a grid 3I6 th e lowersurface of which is flush with the under surface of the arch 3i5.

Grid M6 is fastened to the housing 281 and is directly beneath the discharge fork unit K. The fork head 215 moves into that end of the bucket through which the cut fish entered and sweeps along close to the inclined floor section 23l of the bucket and then along the bucket floor 208. This action crowds the fish toward the left as viewed in Fig. '1 as the fork prongs pass through the slots of the grid M6.

The restraining tunnel J comprises a laterally extending tubular casing 32!, the machine end of which rests on and connects with the top of the housing 224. An insert U-shaped wall part 322 is also mounted on top of the housing 224 and is interposed between the end of the tunnel section 32! and the positioned bucket 206 from which the fish is being discharged by the fork head 215.

It will be understood that each time a bucket filled with fish sections comes to rest at the discharge position, the fork head 215 which is'above and to thegright of the bucket (Fig. '7), swings down against the fish in the bucket while it continues its bodily movement in a clockwise direction with the rotating disc 28!. This swinging of the fork in its mounting, i. e., on its crank pin 211, is the result of the cam action of cam :09. The fish in fact is engaged by the fork head as soon as the bucket comes into place.

In Fig. '1 there is illustrated the crowding of the fish from the bucket and the discharge is here completed as the fork head 215 still presses the fish mass forward into the restraining tunnel and into the frame part 322 As soon as the fork head passes clear of the bucket, the latter makes its next step advancement with the conveyor G. The actuation of each fork as it thus passes from right to left, is such as to maintain substantially a vertical position. The fork head is still Vertical as it slowly pulls out through the spaces of the grid bars 3I6 and leaves the fish mass, but the next bucket is in place and the following fork is against the fish before the preceding fork clears.

In this way the mass of fish in the restraining tunnel is kept in compact position and at no time is the pressure on the fish released. This provides the uniform filling fish mass which is so desirable and which will be further disposed of by filling-into cans as previously described. The exact amount of pressure which may be imparted by the forks 215 may be set by the operator for a desired value so that a uniform predetermined compression is maintained at all times in the tunnel.

The maintenance of a uniform setting for compression against the fish mass is automatic once the adjustment has been made. It relates back to the control of a setting on the Oilgear unit 0. As the supply of fish fills the tunnel so that more fish might cause the desired compression to be exceeded, the Oilgear is quickly shifted so that the driving gear reduction is increased and the various operations incident to feeding the fish to the tunnel are slowed down.

On the other hand, if the set compression on the fish mass in the restraining tunnel falls below the desired value, which means that the tunnel is not sufficiently filled with fish, this condition immediately changes the driving ratio through the Oilgear O and increases the quantity of fish fed into the tunnel within a given time. This adjustment of the Oilgear is very sensitive, and very accurate, and consideration will now be given to the devices for producing this result.

Oilgear reduction ratio control The Oilgear 0 may be set for any speed ratio, within limits between its input drive shaft I22 and its output or driven shaft I26. In the case of an Oilgear reduction device as already referred to, the control or shift element will be in thenature of a valve shift. Such a valve shift is best made through a valve shaft 35I (Figs. 9 and 17) which extends outside of the Oilgear housing and into position for manipulation.

An arm 352 ismounted on the shaft 35I and the end of the arm is pivotally connected at 353 to one end of a connecting rod 354. The opposite end of the rod is joined to an elongated clevis 355 which straddles a curved slotted arm 356 secured to one end of a rock shaft 351. The shaft 351 is journalled in bearings 358, 359 (Fig. 13) formed in the frame section HI and in a bearing 36I formed in the frame section 224.

The clevis 355 carries a pin 365 which extends between the side walls of the clevis and passes through the slot, indicated by the numeral 366, of the arm 356. A roller 361 is preferably mounted on the pin 365 and rests Within the slot 366.

It is the rock shaft 351 that is moved by the deficient or excessive fish tunnel compression and the shifting of the shaft is made in accordance with whether more or less fish is wanted. The manner of shifting the rock shaft 351 will be fully explained hereinafter, but first will be noted the effect of any movement of the shaft 351 on the Oilgear O.

Rocking of the shaft 351 causes movement of the arm 356 which pressing against the roller 361 of the clevis, pulls or pushes against the rod 354 and rocks the valve shaft 35I in the proper direction to increase or decrease the speed of rotation of the shaft I26 from which all of the various elements of the machine are actuated, excepting the gang cutters F.

Provision is made for making the automatic shifting of the shaft 351 more or less effective in its shifting of the control shaft 35I of the "Oilgear. In other words, provision is made for manually rendering the response of the Oilgear" to an oscillation of the shaft 351 more or lessin amount, and by the same token for producing a quicker or slower changing of feeding conditions. This is done by changing the throw of the arm 35? as it becomes effective for moving the shaft 35 The place within the slot 366 of the arm 356 where the roller 361 rests determines the amount of effective throw of the arm upon the oil valve-shaft 35I. If the roller is at the top of the slot any movement of the shaft 351 is greatly multiplied and if at the bottom of the slot, that is, close to the shaft 351, any throw of the latter is minimized.

The clevis 355 is raised and lowered by connection with a manual handle box 31I (Figs. 13, 16 and 17) which is mounted in a convenient position on the housing I2I. It is by this means that the compression of the fish mass within the tunnel is set for a desired predetermined value, all adjustments made in the handle box 31I changing the position of the clevis connection with the arm 356, or in other words altering the place where the roller 361 rests in the arm slot 366.

The handle box carries a vertical shaft 312 on the top of which may be mounted a hand wheel 313 by means of which easy turning of the shaft is effected. Shaft 312 is provided with worm threads 314 which mesh with a segmental rack 315 mounted on a pivot shaft 316 journalled in the handle box. Shaft 316 also carries an arm 311 located outside of the box. The turning of shaft 312 through the worm and rack connections 314, 315 rocks the arm 311. A pointer 318 carried on the pivot shaft 316 provides a ready reference indicator when used with a dial plate 319 mounted on the box.

The outer end of the arm 311 is pivotally connected at 38I to the upper end of a rod 382 and the lower end of the rod is pivotally connected at 383 to the clevis 355. By this arrangement it will be seen that the position of the clevis roller 361 within the slot 366 is maintained at any desired height by setting of the hand wheel 313. This therefore conditions the. connection with the Oilgear valve shaft 35I as desired so that just the effect wanted will be obtained by any given oscillation of the rock shaft 351.

Reference shouldbe had to Fig. 1'7, in which is disclosed the various elements associated with the operation of the rock shaft 351. When a discharge fork head 215, preparatory to removing the fish mass from a positioned bucket 206, engages the fish in the bucket at the discharge station, it meets with a certain amount of resistance. The amount of fish in the tunnel J, or, more particularly the compactness of the mass, will determine the resistance counteracting against the action of the fork as it forces the new charge of fish into the tunnel. In other words, the compression of the fish mass within the tunnel will become effective as a resistance against the discharge fork head.

Following the time of engagement of the fish mass, the fork head 215 being carried around with the rotatable disc 261, is being swung on its crank pin 211 by action of the cam 309. Theoutside wall'of the cam groove 308 is continuous, as best shown in Fig. 18, but the inner wall is cut out at a corner of the cam. An insert or segment 391 when in normal position lies in this corner of the cam track, as in Fig. 18. Such a segment provides for the continuation of the inner wall of the cam groove.

The cam segment 391 is carried on the outer end of an arm 392 (see also Figs. 8 and 17) which is secured to a short rock shaft 393 (see Figs. 13 and 14). The rock shaft 393 is suitably journalled in bearings formed in the side walls of the housing 92.

Shaft 393 also carries a lever arm 394 which extends forward beneath the shaft 282 and above the arch frame 315. This lever arm is normally held in a lowered position, a pivotal connection 395 of the arm being made with a vertical rod 396 which passes through a lug 391 formed as an integral part of the arch frame 315.

The rod 396 has sliding movement through the lug and a spring 398 is carried on the lower end of the rod. This spring is interposed between the lower surface of the lug and a nut 399 in threaded position on the bottom end of the rod. When the lever arm 394 is in its normal position, as held by the spring 398, the corresponding arm 392 holds the cam segment 391 in the position illustrated in Fig. 18 where its outer walls complete a continuation of the inner wall of the cam groove 308. 1

Considering again the action of the fork head 215 just after engaging the fish mass, it will be understood that at the time the full resistance of compression of the fish within the tunnel becomes effective, the cam roller 301 of the fork boss 216 is traversing the cam path adjacent the cam segment 391. If the resistance ofiered by the fish is excessive, that is, greater than the normal compression desired in the fish tunnel, the cam roller 301 will press against and lift the cam segment.

When this lifting action takes place, the arms 392, 394 move up together with a rocking movement of the rock shaft 393, this being against the action of the spring 398. By setting the compression of the spring 398 to the desired adjustment, there will be established a value of compression where the fish mass resistance moves the lever arm 394. Movement of the lever arm effects a corresponding movement of the rock shaft 351 so that the Oilgear valve shaft 351 will be moved as will now be further explained.

When the forward end of the lever arm 394 moves up, as just described, it carries up a pair of links 401 the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the lever arm as at 402 (Figs. 14 and 17). The upper ends of the links are pivotally connected at 403 to a block 404. Block 404 loosely surrounds a connecting rod 405 and lifting of the block, caused by conditions in the fish tunnel as just described, also raises the rod. The

lower end of the rod is pivotally connected at 406 to a rocker arm 401 which is secured to an end of the rock shaft 351, this being on the end opposite the arm 356.

The resulting shift of the shaft 351 turns the valve shaft 351, this being counter clockwise as viewed in Figs. 9 and 15. This increases the reduction ratio through the Oilgear O and the drive shaft 126 is slowed down. This slows down the various mechanisms relating to the fish feeding, excepting the gang cutters E, so t at less fish per unit of time will be brought into position for discharge into the tunnel.

This is another way of saying that there will be a longer interval of time between feeding of successive charges of fish to the tunnel. Since fish is being constantly removed from the tunnel in the can filling operation, this slowing down of the "Oilgear control will soon change a crowded condition to a normal one.

The block 404 at its upper end is enlarged into a cupped head which provides support for a rubber disc 4| 1. The rod 405 extends loosely through both the block and the rubber and projects above some distance. A conical collar 412 is threadedly secured to the rod 405 above the block and is held in an adjusted position by a locknut 413.

When the rod 405 is in lowered position, its collar 412 is seated in the rubber disc 411 and at the time the cam segment 391 is moved to raise the block 404, as just described, the collar is resting in the block. Both block and rod therefore move as a unit with the results hereinbefore noted. The positive lowering of the rod to seat the collar in the block head takes place just before each fork unit cam roller 301 moves adjacent the cam segment 391. This will be later described.

The rod 405 above the collar 412 carries a' sleeve 415 which is of square cross-section and the sleeve is adjustably secured on the rod. For this purpose the rod is reduced in diameter at 416, this being above the threaded section containing the locknut 413. An adjusting nut 411 is threaded on the rod and provides the lower end stop for the sleeve 415. A locknut 418 holds the nut 411 and the sleeve in adjusted position.

At the top the rod section 416 is threaded to receive a head 419. This is screwed down on the upper end of the sleeve and forms the stop for the top end of the sleeve. This construction provides the upper end of the rod 405 with a square section which is utilized in a wedging action for keeping the rod in its raised position after the fork cam roller 301 has passed the cam segment 391 and the spring 398 has pulled back the lever arm 394, thus pulling the collar seat 41 1 downwardly away from the conical collar 412. This wedging and holding action of the rod 405 will next be considered.

Sleeve 415 extends between spaced arms 421 of a bracket 422 which extends inwardly from the housing 92 as best illustrated in Fig. 13. A pivot shaft 423 (Figs. 8 and 17) is carried in the ends of the bracket arms 421 and provides a pivotal support for a bell crank lever 424. An arm 425 of the bell crank lever extends forward and supports a U-shaped wedge block 426, the side walls of which extend on either side of the square sleeve 415. The wedge blockprovides a sliding way for three sides of the sleeve.

On the fourth side a wedge 431 normally rests against the sleeve, this wedge being larger at the top than at the bottom, the face opposite to the sleeve being inclined as best illustrated in Fig. 17. The inclined fourth side is slidably supported upon an inclined web 432 formed as a part of the bracket 422. A screw 433 projects outwardly from the inclined face of the wedge 431 where it extends through a slot 434 formed in the web. The head of this screw may be tightened against a washer.

The wedge is adapted to be adjusted in the desired position and is then positively held by tightening the screw. However, the sleeve 415 is 

